Red Sox win a pitcher’s duel against Royals

at Boston 1, Kansas City 0: Dustin Pedroia doubled in a run in the eighth inning, and Jon Lester outdueled Brian Bannister. Lester (8-6) allowed four hits and two walks and struck out eight in eight innings; Bannister (6-7) gave up one run and three hits in seven.

Toronto 2, at Baltimore 0: Brett Cecil outpitched Jason Berken in a duel between struggling rookies and the Blue Jays ended a three-game losing streak. Toronto’s Scott Rolen went 0 for 4, ending his 25-game hitting streak.

at Tampa Bay 6, Oakland 0: Jeff Niemann pitched a seven-hitter for his second shutout this season, and the Rays got home runs from Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria.

at Minnesota 6, Chicago 4: Joe Mauer’s two-out single broke a seventh-inning tie and Minnesota hung on for the victory. Nick Blackburn (8-4) gave up four runs in seven innings.

at Detroit 5, Cleveland 1: All-Star Edwin Jackson pitched seven strong innings, and Marcus Thames hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning for the Tigers, who have won three straight.

Texas 6, at Seattle 4: Hank Blalock, Michael Young and Nelson Cruz homered for the Rangers, who lead the Angels by half a game in the AL West.

at Angels 10, New York 6: Kendry Morales’ three-run homer tied it in the fifth inning and Chone Figgins hit a go-ahead RBI triple and scored in the sixth.